Flexible PCB Grounding via Segmented Conductive Cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible printed circuit boards in electronic devices face limitations in static electricity discharge, leading to potential damage from unsmooth static electricity discharge, which hampers the protection of circuit components.

Innovation Solution

A flexible printed circuit board design featuring a conductive cover member with cutting portions overlapped with ground pads on a base film, enhancing the ground function by ensuring effective static electricity collection and discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a ground pad is exposed to the external for static electricity discharge, then static electricity can be discharged, but the discharge path is limited and ground function is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveground functionVSAvoidstatic electricity discharge efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive cover member is divided into multiple cutting portions that correspond to different ground pad portions. Each cutting portion creates a separate discharge path, segmenting the ground function into multiple independent channels. This segmentation allows static electricity to be discharged through multiple locations simultaneously, improving overall discharge efficiency and ground function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a two-dimensional ground pad pattern on the circuit board to a three-dimensional structure by adding a conductive cover member that extends over the ground pad portions. This dimensional change creates additional discharge paths through the vertical dimension, allowing static electricity to be discharged through both the exposed ground pad portions and the conductive cover member, thereby enhancing the ground function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If static electricity discharge is limited to ground pad only, then structure is simple, but circuit protection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestructureVSAvoidcircuit protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive cover member merges multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both a protective cover for the circuit board and as an additional static electricity discharge path. By combining these functions, the invention enhances circuit protection without proportionally increasing structural complexity, as the same component provides both protection and improved grounding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive cover member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the circuit board from external factors, provides additional static electricity discharge paths, and enhances the overall ground function. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address multiple requirements, improving circuit protection while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The improved ground function effectively prevents circuit component damage from static electricity, ensuring better protection and performance in flexible printed circuit boards and electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

the discharge of static electricity is made only through the ground pad so that it has limitations on improvement of ground function

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStatic electricity discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Implementation Method 2

a conductive cover member configured to cover the other surface of the base film and electrically connected with the ground pad portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11191163B2Flexible printed circuit board and flexible display module and electronic device comprising the same

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A flexible printed circuit board with improved ground efficiency is disclosed, and a flexible display module and an electronic device comprising the same is disclosed, wherein the flexible printed circuit board comprises a flexible circuit film having a circuit layer disposed on one surface of a base film, and a ground pad portion disposed on another surface of the base film; and a conductive cover member configured to cover the other surface of the base film and electrically connected with the ground pad portion, wherein the conductive cover member includes a cutting portion overlapped with the ground pad portion.